There were rows of footy fans surrounding the ground itself from well before the opening bounce.

The largest proportion wore royal blue and white – illustrating either a healthy degree of “home away from home” support for the Kangaroos or the fact their fans were prepared to travel to watch a glorified hit out.

Or both.

Either way, it gave credence to the handout posters declaring Ballarat was Kanga Country.

There was also a strong contigent in navy blue, not used to being outnumbered by North supporters in their home state.

Several, perhaps with a little embarrassment, insisted looks were deceiving.

“There are plenty of us,” said Wendy Hucker of Ballarat in her Carlton jersey.

“We’re just scattered, that’s all.”

And then there was a sprinkling of footy fans in black and white stripes, black with yellow sash, navy with red yoke.

This game wasn’t just for the North and Carlton loyalists, it was for footy fans across the region.

It’s fair to say the boys in royal blue and white were probably getting some quiet support from those in brown and gold, black and red and the rest though.

Footy can divide families. Bridget Campbell and Jacob Lench had come to the game together. Bridget barracked for Carlton. Jacob said he was barracking for anybody but Carlton. He got a bruise on his arm for mentioning it.

Piper and Peter Joyce at the North Melbourne clash against Carlton at Eureka Stadium. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER

The crowd, despite its decent size for a regional venue, was somewhat muted to begin with. If the NAB Challenge is something of a practice match series without a formal cup anymore, perhaps the fans were practicing being super excited.